Mano-a-mano

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Mano-a-mano is a Spanish construction meaning "hand-to-hand". It was used originally in bullfights where just the matador and the bull confront each other.

Current Spanish usage describes any kind of competition between two people where they both compete, but somehow co-operate in achieving something.

Within the Doce Pares Eskrima fighting system, it is one of the three ranges of engagement, specifically the closest one. Note that this does not indicate solely unarmed combat.

This term has been adopted in English with similar meaning, possibly by Ernest Hemingway. The English adoption can be likened to the phrases 'one on one', 'head to head' or 'single combat'. It is also commonly misunderstood as a cognate by English speakers who think that the term means "man to man."